Yarramalong Dingo Sanctuary

02/03/2026

Many thanks to Highlands Dingo Rescue Ltd. Imo the most important message of the year, every year.

Watching Over the Future: Letting Dingo Pups Remain in the Bush.

With the official start of breeding season, the dingoes here have significantly increased their howling. As the shorter days of autumn unfold, even though we don’t breed, these remarkable animals are responding to seasonal cues.

The heightened howling from established family groups during this time serves as a territorial signal to rival groups or nearby intruders along with increased scent marking they are effectively marking their boundaries. This increase in vocalisation and scent marking, not only establishes strong territorial lines but also ensures a successful breeding season and a safe denning area.

Off spring of family from previous year/years would have already left the group to find a mate and territory of their own with other members staying behind to help raise their new young siblings which will be born between June and August.

♦️Important awareness about the future dingo pups

I'm taking this opportunity to start raising awareness as dingo puppy season approaches. If you come across puppies in the bush, it's important to recognise that they are likely dingo pups rather than abandoned domestic pets. Each year, well-meaning individuals mistakenly capture these puppies, believing they have been abandoned. Once a dingo pup has been removed from the wild it is illegal to release them back to the wild.

It's crucial not to take pups from the bush. The parent dingoes are often nearby, and you may be unaware of their presence, or they could be out hunting. It's common for dingo pups to be left unattended near their den, don’t intervene instead get advice before removing them.

If you suspect that the dingo parents have been killed or have proof of their demise, it's crucial to monitor the area for any remaining family members. Setting up camera traps can be an effective way to assess the situation or setting up sand traps to observe for adult foot prints. If any non breeding adult group members are present (older siblings) male or female will step in to raise the pups. It's not uncommon for these other members to remain elusive, sometimes not appearing on camera traps footage for weeks.

Being patient and avoiding hasty decisions about bringing pups in from the bush is essential. Non-breeding members of the group have been known to successfully raise pups into fully functional dingoes, ensuring their survival and integration into the wild.

Before removing any pups from the bush, please seek advice, unless they are in extremely poor condition, which may indicate they have been orphaned. It's vital to support our future apex predators, as they play an essential role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem that benefits us all.

For guidance and advice please message us. Your cooperation is crucial in ensuring the survival of these future apex predators in the wild.

Let them be wild

Image Bluey - HDR

09/02/2026

Thanks to Highlands Dingo Rescue Ltd

Dingo Breeding Season : Generally March to June

A Must-Read on Coexisting with Dingoes in the remote desert communities of WA (or any small township)

I've noticed a lot of posts lately raising fears about living alongside dingoes, especially in the remote Pilbara communities.

These towns are very transient with new residents moving in for work all year round. It's crucial to approach any new community with respect and understanding, not just for the people but for the local wildlife as well.

The vast desert of WA is dingo territory, where these apex predators have roamed for thousands of years, long before any towns were established. A small town in these desert regions is like a drop in the ocean, extremely remote and surrounded by dingo habitat.

Living in these towns means embracing and respecting the natural world around you and understanding the behaviour of dingoes.

With more dingo sightings during this time, it's crucial to address the misinformation circulating on social media. Many posts mislead and spread unnecessary fear about dingoes.

🔺THE DINGO IS NOT STALKING YOU

The dingo isn't stalking you; he's simply assessing who's in his territory. During this time of year, dingoes are searching for mates and identifying other presences in their area. By picking up your scent from where you've walked, he's gathering information.

🔺Dingoes are sentient, close knit family groups vital to our ecosystems. Let's focus on understanding and coexisting safely with these resilient wild neighbours.

🔺Did you know dingoes often mate for life and are devoted parents? They live as individuals, in pairs, or in family groups.

🔺Dingoes don't become more aggressive during this season. Like any protective parent, they safeguard their family and territory.

🔺You might notice them more as they vocalize to claim their territory and partners. This is completely natural and not a cause for concern.

🔺Dingoes are naturally shy and tend to avoid people. Boldness usually stems from habituation due to people feeding them, the presence of dogs, or defending their dens.

🔺They primarily feed on natural prey like rodents, rabbits, insects, and lizards, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats,possum, insects, fish, eggs, berries, and various fruits. However, in areas where they live near humans, they’ve been known to consume food scraps, they might be drawn to garbage or pet food. Cats and small dogs could be seen as prey, while larger dogs may be perceived as threats.

🔺Supervise pets, especially at dawn and dusk, and ensure they are in secure yards or enclosures. Keep them on a lead when walking. By being proactive and practicing responsible pet ownership, we can minimise conflicts with dingoes and other wildlife!

🔺Dingoes usually steer clear of humans, but they can become bold in urban areas if they find food or are fed by people. Hazing helps them regain their natural wariness.

🔺Maintain Eye Contact. Pick up small dogs and keep larger ones leashed. Ensure there's an escape route for the dingo, entrapment can cause them to become fearful.

🔺Exaggerate Your Presence: Make yourself look bigger to assert dominance.

🔺Be Loud: Yell to alert the dingo and those nearby. Noise discourages their approach.

🔺Repeat and Reinforce: Consistent hazing helps dingoes relearn to avoid humans.

🔺Educate Others: Teaching effective hazing techniques ensures dingoes have negative experiences, encouraging them to steer clear of people.

🚫 Important Reminders

Don't Encourage the Dingo: Remember, he’s not a cute dog looking for a friend. He’s not hungry, dingoes are naturally lean and they don’t need your companionship.

Avoid Feeding: Feeding encourages dependency and bold behavior.

No Photos; Avoid taking photos/videos or interacting in any way, these behaviours cause dingoes to lose their natural fear of people. Keep a respectful distance and discourage any engagement.

29/01/2026

26/01/2026

Thank you Highlands Dingo Rescue Ltd

A Call for Respect and Understanding

In light of the tragic incident involving Piper on K’gari, we have chosen to refrain from social media discussions and the over publishing of media reporting out of respect for her and her family during this difficult time.

The hasty decision to cull the dingoes is not only outrageous but also unethical, particularly without respectful consultation with the Butchella People, the traditional custodians of the land. It’s crucial to recognise the cultural significance of these animals and the need for dialogue before taking such drastic actions. Furthermore, culling dingoes disrupts the future generations of a population that is already compromised, undermining the ecological balance they help maintain. The dingoes that have been culled have paid a high price, all while multi-millions of tourism dollars take priority over the well-being of these animals.

Dingoes are often demonised and stripped of their rightful status as top-order predators, despite their vital role in maintaining ecological balance. This imbalance in perception becomes stark when considering the recent tragic incident involving a young boy who fatally died from a shark attack, alongside at least four serious, non-fatal attacks occurring in New South Wales within a 48-hour period around January 18–20, 2026. The sharks were not culled because scientific evidence showed that killing sharks does not effectively improve public safety and can harm the ecosystem. Why was this not taken into consideration for the “protected dingoes” that were culled on K’gari ? In this context, despite public outcry, the government chose not to cull the sharks. Why, then, are dingoes treated so differently?

As we enter the natural habitats of wildlife, it is essential to acknowledge and respect their territories and behaviours. Engaging in recreational activities in these areas carries inherent risks. Much like entering any wildlife territory, we must also be mindful of the potential dangers posed by crocodiles, venomous snakes and spiders, sharks, blue ringed octopus, box jelly fish, the list goes on. Each of these encounters comes with risks. We must approach wildlife habitats with caution and awareness especially at this time of year in the lead-up to breeding season when dingoes are more vigilant in establishing and protecting their territories.

As we reflect on this heartbreaking loss, let us honour Piper's memory by advocating for a deeper understanding of the delicate balance between humans and wildlife. We must also remember the dingoes who were culled without consideration for their role in the ecosystem and the cultural significance they hold.

In times of high risk, particularly during the lead up to breeding season, the breeding and whelping seasons of dingoes, the island should be closed to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife. This raises an important question: why are similar measures not taken when beaches are closed due to shark or crocodile attacks? As of late January 2026, numerous beaches across New South Wales, including all 21 Northern Beaches in Sydney, were closed following an "unprecedented" string of four shark attacks in just 48 hours.

May Piper's spirit inspire us to foster compassion and respect for all wildlife, encouraging a dialogue that prioritises coexistence over fear. In remembering both Piper and the dingoes, we commit to safeguarding not just their legacies, but the precious ecosystems we all share. Let us carry their memories forward, striving for a future where harmony prevails in the natural world.

17/01/2026

16/01/2026

The race is on to recover SD cards inside the vast national park, and protect the surviving animals. Find out more.

16/01/2026

13/01/2026

Many thanks to Dingo Coexistence

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗲: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗨𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗺

Effective dingo advocacy is rarely loud, public and highly visible. The reason being that broadcasting every action publicly can trigger an immediate and aggressive backlash from powerful livestock-industry vested interests. When that happens, meaningful progress can be derailed before it even begins.

Dingoes themselves are elusive. They hunt by stealth. They observe carefully, move strategically and act at the right moment rather than announcing themselves in advance. Showing themselves can get them killed. Effective advocacy for dingoes often needs to work the same way — thoughtful, informed, strategic, and sometimes necessarily out of the public spotlight.

Whipping up public hysteria, spreading misinformation or launching poorly informed campaigns can actually harm dingoes rather than help them. Complex ecological, legal, and scientific issues are not solved through emotional reaction or social media outrage. Advocacy in this space requires expertise, evidence and an understanding of policy, wildlife management, and conservation science.

Well-meaning but misinformed activism can undo years of careful work. That is why some efforts are best led quietly by experienced researchers, conservation practitioners and legal and policy experts — not by public spectacle.

Protecting dingoes requires intelligence, patience, and strategy. Just like the dingo itself.

Graphic created from photo with credit and thanks to Michell J Photography & Equine

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